Peter Kenny
04 June 2021•Update: 05 June 2021
GENEVA
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) on Friday called on the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to keep a “critical separation between politics and aviation safety issues,” criticizing the agency for banning aircraft entering Belarus airspace.
The call followed developments after the interception of Ryanair FR4978 on May 23 over Belarus airspace, with authorities in the country forcing the flight to land in Minsk.
On June 2, EASA replaced a recommendation for European airlines to carefully assess the risk of flying in Belarus airspace with a blanket prohibition known as a “Safety Directive” on European aircraft entering Belarus airspace.
“Aviation safety must never be politicized. IATA condemned the actions of the Belarus government and called for an independent investigation,” Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general, said in a statement.
He said banning European aircraft from using Belarusian airspace with a Safety Directive is also a politicization of aviation safety.
“This is a retrograde and disappointing development,” said Walsh.
‘Two wrongs do not make a right’
He said EASA should rescind its prohibition and allow airlines to manage safety as they do each day, with their routine operational risk assessments.
“Two wrongs do not make a right. Politics should never interfere with the safe operation of aircraft, and politicians should never use aviation safety as a cover to pursue political or diplomatic agendas,” Walsh said.
Immediately after the May 23 forced landing, EASA issued a Safety Information Bulletin advising airlines to avoid operations in Belarusian airspace.
IATA said this did not ban European aircraft from using the airspace but required any airlines that continued to do so, satisfy themselves that the safety of the aircraft, passengers, and crew, was not at risk.
Geneva-based IATA said it supported this measure as a proportionate response to the actions of the Belarus government.
Several airlines have continued to use Belarusian airspace, and IATA supports their decision to do so.
On June 2, after consulting with the EASA member states and the European Commission, EASA issued a Safety Directive that effectively bans airlines from Belarusian airspace.
“IATA does not support this action as it, in effect, politicizes air safety,” the airlines’ association said.
IATA says it represents some 290 airlines comprising 82% of global air traffic.
